Impatiens plant named `Tioga Peach`

ABSTRACT

A distinctive cultivar of Impatiens plant named Tioga Peach, characterized by its large salmon-pink flowers; flowers held above the foliage; consistently double and symmetrical flower form; numerous flowers per plant; freely branching plant habit; and mounded plant form.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens walleriana, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name Tioga Peach.

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventors in Coquille, Oreg. The objective of the breeding program was to develop varieties with new flower colors, consistently double flower form, and numerous flowers per plant.

The new cultivar originated from a cross made by the inventors of the proprietary selection DIM-440 as the male or pollen parent with the proprietary selection DIM-575 as the female or seed parent.

The cultivar Tioga Peach was discovered and selected by the inventors as a flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Coquille, Oreg. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken at Coquille, Oreg. has shown that the unique features of this new Impatiens are stabilized and reproduced true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of Tioga Peach. These characteristics in combination distinguish the new Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large salmon-pink flowers.

2. Flowers held above the foliage.

3. Consistently double and symmetrical flower form.

4. Numerous flowers per plant.

5. Freely branching plant habit.

6. Mounded plant form.

In comparison to the parent selection DIM-440, the new Impatiens has salmon-pink compared to red flower color. In comparison to the parent selection DIM-575, the new Impatiens has salmon-pink compared to white flower color.

The new Impatiens has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment such as temperature, light level and daylength, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearance and flower color of the new Impatiens, showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The photograph comprises a side perspective view of a typical plant of the new Impatiens grown in Salinas, Calif. Petal and foliage colors in the photograph may appear different from the actual colors due to light reflectance.

The following observations, measurements, values, and comparisons describe plants grown in Coquille, Oreg. and Keller, Tex.

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

Botanical classification: Impatiens walleriana cultivar Tioga Peach.

Parentage:

Male or pollen parent.--Proprietary selection DIM-440.

Female or seed parent.--Proprietary selection DIM-575.

Propagation:

Type cutting.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to initiate roots.--7 to 10 days at 20C soil temperature.

Rooting habit.--Numerous, fibrous, and well-branched.

Plant description:

Form.--Mounded form, uniform, spreading and arching.

Growth habit.--Moderately vigorous. Freely branching, dense growth. Suitable for 10 to 25-cm containers.

Foliage description.--Leaves simple, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in aspect. Size: Length: 6.5 cm. Width: 3 cm. Shape: Ovate with acuminate tip. Texture: Smooth. Margin: Crenate. Color: Top side: 147A. Under side: 147B. Venation: Not distinctive.

Stem color.--Translucent, 143C with small red spots at nodes.

Flower description:

Flower type and habit.--Large salmon-pink flowers. Consistently double and symmetrical flowers. Freely and continuously flowering. Flower buds open similar to a rose in fullness. The flowers are borne slightly above the foliage, arising from leaf axils, at least four flowers per axil, terminal bud opening first. Numerous flowers per plant.

Time to flower.--Flowering generally commences four to six weeks after planting.

Flowering season.--Year-round under greenhouse conditions, optimal flowering during spring season in northern hemisphere.

Flower diameter.--3.5 cm.

Flower depth (height).--2 cm.

Flower buds.--Shape: Ovoid. Color: 38A.

Petals.--Quantity: At least 50 per flower. Shape: Round, oblong, or cordate with indentation at tip. Color: Upper side, mature: Iridescent, 38A with small purple (61C) spot at base. Under side, mature: 38A. Fade: Upper and under sides fade to 38B and 38C.

Sepals.--Quantity: 2 per flower. Shape: Round with prominent midvein. Color: 143C.

Spur.--Shape: Narrow and curved. Quantity: One per flower. Length: 3 cm. Color: On bud: 144A. On open flower: 144B with red tint.

Peduncles.--Length: 3 cm. Color: 144A.

Reproductive organs.--Typical reproductive organs are not observed as these structures develop into sterile petaloids. Without the development of functional reproductive organs, pollination and subsequent seed production are not observed.

Disease resistance: No resistance or susceptibility observed.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Impatiens plant named Tioga Peach, as illustrated and described. 